Richard II

The What's on Stage Awards have recently awarded the Best Actor in A Play Award to David Tennant for his appearance in this production of Richard II, and it is well deserved. David Tennant marvelously portrays Shakespeare's character Richard II. Capturing within the formal structure of the play a king initially aloof and out of touch with the citizenry, who would fall from power, and obtain the gleam of madness and greater insight, which makes the character truly interesting, (notably when he appears on the stage barefoot). Tennant, indeed, advances the career of the Bard. He consistently portrays the vanity and narcissism of the medieval king, and Richard's separation from his subjects. The hair extensions are also worthy of note, further dramatically differentiating the king from the other characters.